Columbus may have been buoyed by new signings Federico Higuain and Jairo Arrieta during this stretch, the Crew are 4-0-1 with Higuain and 6-2-2 with Arrieta on the field, but it's been a team effort.
Everyone from Tony Tchani, Cole Grossman, Nemanja Vukovic, Julius James, and even Matt Lampson have had big performances (despite not having their number called much overall during the regular season).

Even more impressive, this 7 games in 21 day stretch began 4 days after a funeral involving well-liked teammate Kirk Urso; instead of understandably capitulating, the Crew have rattled off 4 wins and 2 ties.

Shows a good character in the side.

Another nice sign of character is this quote by keeper Andy Greunebaum going into tonight's contest:

"We're worried about our games. They're the only games we truly can control, the outcome of our games. We can't control anything else. Obviously, you can hope for certain results. But at the end of the day, if you're thinking about other things and not what you can control, then you're not going to be successful."

By not overlooking a New England team, that gave Columbus fits over 10 days ago in a barn burning 4-3 win, the Crew has to focus on taking care of business to get themselves at a impressive 45 points, giving their selves a chance to put themselves in the best position while they get some rest.

According to Terra.com, Guillermo Barros Schelotto played a definitive role in the signing of Federico Higuain.

First off, Crew Technical Director Brian Bliss came to Schelotto and asked him basically what player, players can play like you in Argentina, then on the flip side Guillermo recommended the city of Columbus and playing for the Crew to Higuain.

"They were looking for a playmaker, the position in which I had played, and I thought they were well guided because Higuain was not a classic striker and could pull hitch, and well, the first three games has three goals and two assists.

So far, Guillermo's managerial career with Lanus in Argentina has had a tough start with a 1-1-3 start in 5 games, and the club sitting 15th out of 20 teams.

But, surely, Schelotto has some tricks in his bag for Lanus, just like he did for Columbus on and now off the field with the Higuain recommendation.

Higuain is off to a torrid start, it's been fun, and it's good we have another motivated DP. But, kind of early to compare Schelotto and Higuain.

And who cares who is better.. I'm just glad that the Crew finally got off of their butts and found another Argentine maestro to pull the strings in midfield.

The formula seems to work for us, so from here on in let the NYRB's and LA Gal's go after the aging European superstars (Tim Cahill in the same amount of games as Federico has 1 goal, no assists) whereas let's keep hitting up Argentina for the lesser known GBS and Federico types.

Pretty soccer everyday trumps a Pretty face, pretty name

Still, despite a torrid start, Crew fans need to not get carried away with Higuain is way better than Guillermo talk.

Guillermo has something Federico has yet to get a MLS Cup trophy. Guillermo still has 34 more goals and 52 more assists in the black and gold. Further, Federico has come to Columbus way younger (27 instead of 35), so it's unfair to compare his legs with those of a 35 year old Guillermo..

In no way a complaint that we got a player like Federico in his playing prime, :-) at 27 instead of 35. But, still, comparing a player at his prime with one that's on his last hurrah doesn't make sense.

Additionally, each player goes through their peaks and valleys (unless Federico is superman, maybe he is). I hope Federico keeps peaking, but if he continues at this pace, how could he not get noticed by bigger clubs around the world?

The guy is a baller, who must of not of been in the right roles in Argentina.

He's probably exceeded everyone's expectations and I hope he stays with us for a long time, and challenges Guillermo Barros Schelotto's legacy.

But, there's still a lot of soccer to be played.

However, if himself and Arrieta could keep propelling Columbus to a late Eastern Conference challenge and another MLS Cup appearance then may be the time to debate who's the best Argentine, even if I rather just say both are pretty damn good, and were lucky to have had and have both, and leave it at that.

I do have a feeling Higuain can take a team on his back and get Columbus another MLS Cup. That's one comparison I would like to make between him and Schelotto.